Now that I’ve burned through two Grizzly palm nailers in short order, I’m wondering if it would be a good idea to spend the money for one that would last. Is there such a thing, a work horse palm nailer? Thanks in advance.
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Upgrading the footings and columns that support a girder beam is an opportunity to level out the floor above.
Featured Video
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
My Bostitch is great, but it hasn't been used much.
If yer using it for joist hangers, get the strap shot by Bostitch. We picked one up last summer, it is great.
Have a good day
Cliffy
I've had the Grip Rite nailer for about a year. Flawless performance and silky smooth. Paid $40 at my yard, seems to be the going price online as well.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_0_15?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=grip+rite+palm+nailer&sprefix=grip+rite+palm+
-Norm
A co worker bought one of those. Three days later air was leaking out of it. He got a new one from the vendor the next day. I don't know if the nailer is still working, but the co worker isn't.
Another vote for the Bostich. For less than a hundred bucks, it's good value.
Scott.
Third vote for Bostich.
Jim
Buy two Rigid palm nailers from HD for around 50 bucks each. They come with a lifetime warranty. One can always be in the mail while you burn through the other.
>>>Buy two Rigid palm nailers from HD for around 50 bucks each. They come with a lifetime warranty.Now that's some good advice. I didn't know that they were sustaining the lifetime warranty thing.Scott.
First, thanks to all who replied... Fingersandtoes, this sounds like a great idea. Much appreciated!
little late I guess, but my PC palm nailer works fine. Admittedly not used much now that I'm not doing much framing. I got a (new) complete kit off an ebay store for under $100 a few years ago. Make sure you keep your nailers oiled, in any case.---mike...
I was just looking at these yesterday ... they're $79.
Not a bad deal, as long as the lifetime warranty covers reasonable use. I think the warranty should cover. After all, who uses these things day-in and day-out? I use it only when I have to, but I admit, it's much nicer than trying to swing a hammer between joists (or whatever).Scott.
Edited 9/22/2009 1:20 am by Scott
I still have my first one, a 20 some year old Jamerico or some name like that. It always just hissed when first connected, I rebuilt it ( supplied O rings) and still, HSSSSSSSSSSS...and nada.
Then I stubled upon the owners manual one day , and right there in print, it says it will do that when attached to the air at first. Solution? Give it a smack. Which just so happens to be what I did to get it going.
Since then I have a DeWalt, flawless, and a Harbor frieght, I got the HF cus they make autobody heads that fit it, and I some times weld up stuff to the heads for my crazy ideas. Like tack a socket on the hammer face and drive a copper roofing nail, it makes a "rose" head nail.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
View Image
"Not a bad deal, as long as the lifetime warranty covers reasonable use."
Returning stuff to big box stores is completely different than taking something back to the lumberyard. I always go to HD or Rona on the weekends dressed for grocery shopping, not construction. They are so overwhelmed by Diyers they don't put up a very effective fight. You can blend right in and return the most abused tools. Last time I was in some guy was playing merry hell about his 1"x2"s being only 1 1/2" deep - like he was the first one to catch them out on some new scam.
>>....his 1"x2"s being only 1 1/2" deep...<<
So were they splainin' if he really wanted 1x2, he would have to buy 5/4x3 and rip it......
Didn't think so.
Jim Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
Well, they should sell them as 3/4 x 1 1/2. There are people who have never bought a stick of lumber buying their first one at Home Depot.Maybe a chart with actual sizes instead. I saw a 2x4 there that was so funny, it looked like it had been tied in a knot.
No you are quite right, nominal sizes are unfair with their target market. What amused me was the way he became louder and louder in an attempt to rally the crowd as though they would suddenly jump the turnstiles, storm the tool section and implement a consumer revolution based on his sudden revelation.
When I'm at a big box I take what small pleasures I can find.
I like to watch people carrying long pieces of trim, lucky they don't put somebodys eye out.
I'm a bit surprised nobody suggested Senco.
I have a Senco palm nailer that has worked great for at least 10 years. I attempted to try the new Senco mini-palm nailer but the hole wouldn't fit a 16d; although it claims it will.
I also recently purchased the Bostitch StrapShot and am for the most part happy with it. But it only shoots up to 1-1/2" nails and they are special Bostitch strips for about $40 per 1000.
DC
Just a brief FYI, Bostitch also makes a Strapshot that handles 1-1/2'' and 2-1/2 hardware nails. It is model MCN 250. You can get it with a standard magazine or a short magazine, model MCN 250S. I run Paslode nails in my Strapshots, no trouble and a lot cheaper.
Edited 9/22/2009 4:39 pm by framerboy
I have one of the Lowes sold Tradesman versions and it has served pretty well. Got a DW and so far it seems fine. It was next to nothing at a sales event at HDT. Bought the 1.5 strapshot and it is fine but caution that Simpson derates quite a bit for the short nails and they also push their "double shear" hangers and it will not work for the joist connection and is derated substantially for header connection. Otherwise it is a fair gunFor those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
My Senco Palm nailers never lasted very long, and I don't use them very often. After blowing through two, I bought a Bostich, which has been fine. I also bought a Grip-rite mini palm nailer, which I haven't used yet.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
Really? I'm surprised. My Senco is used and abused and works like new. I've never had major problems with Senco products. I musta just got a good one.As far as the mini Grip-RIte goes, I saw that a couple of months before I saw the mini Senco, all around the same time Senco got bought by a conglomerate. I am almost curious if the same conglomerate owns Grip-Rite also and if it is the same tool.Since you haven't used it yet, do yourself a favor and check to make sure whatever 16d commons you use will fit in the barrel. That's the reason I had to take the Senco mini back.I might try the Grip-Rite instead. It'd be ironic if they didn't take 16d's since mine are 16's are Grip-Rite brand too.Oh, I thought it may be worth adding to this discussion that a framer friend of mine uses an old Tradesman brand palm nailer. He says he's used it for well over a decade and NEVER OILED IT ONCE! It's kinda neat, has a leather cover and a case with several interchangeable barrels, I think it had a chisel too. Just goes to show that every tool company has its gems as well as it's turds and it's sometimes hard to tell the difference.DC
I will say that my Senco( about25 years old) has never failed to perform for me. used to do a lot of framing and it was given a work out virtually every day.
Always hissed and acted jammed when first connected but a sharp blow to the body got the cylinder cycled into the correct spot for use.
Life is Good
I've had bad luck with the Senco palm nailers as well. Bought two - both blew the diaphram almost immediately. I repaired them - same thing. Took them to my tool repair shop - same results. Sold 'em on Ebay as is. copper p0rn
Believe it or not, I bought a HF mini-palm for $15 exclusively for joist hangers. I thought it would be disposable. Its lasted for two jobs, but I haven't used it in a while. It takes forever for it to run a 16d, but it zips thru hanger nails like no tommorrow. I've only been completely satisfied several times with a HF tool, and this was certainly one of them. The other was my buttoncap stapler. I've babied the heck out of it but it has also lasted for two jobs so far. It cost me $70, skips every now and then, but has bailed me out on at least one job (the boss was wanting to slap staple the exterior sheetrock!)
I have the pneuo tool brand i think. The full size and mini palm nailers both seem to be workhorses. For joist hangers I have the hanger gun made by the same company.October 17th, 2009
Jeremy and Lisa
Was there ever any doubt?
Senco had two models of palm nailers; the A9 and some other model number. The earlier model worked good. The newer model people had problems with the gaskets going. So depending on which model you model you have, the senco can be a blessing or a curse.
I have the bostitch and am pretty happy with it. Lowes has them marked down to ~$70 for the palm nailer kit.
I'd like the mini palm nailer, but cant justify it seeing how little I use my full size one.
Live by the sword, die by the sword....choose your sword wisely.
OK, I bit the bullet and bought the Rigid one for $70 today. Drove a few nails into 4x4 once I got home and it did fine. I like the fact that it already has a swivel air fitting so you are just plug and go. Have a box full of joist hangers to put in this week so I'll report on it by Friday.
QUOTE: "I'd like the mini palm nailer, but cant justify it seeing how little I use my full size one."The reason you don't use your full size palm nailer more is because it's just too big and bulky. If you had the mini, you'd use it much more often.Or at least that's what you can tell yourself.DC
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Thanks!!!!! I was hoping that this new tool urge would pass. It probably will when I go buy one. Really like the PNEU model. Hey, maybe it will go on sale.
Live by the sword, die by the sword....choose your sword wisely.
My bostich is great. Used pretty heavily and what's worse, I've lent it out..